Controller (G3M 20211-1592-16) Pedal Assist Problem

[DGC]

Hi,

One of these images is the controller from a recently purchased (used) folding cycle. I was told by the previous owner that he had Pedal Assistance disabled because it
wasn't giving him enough exercise. I'm looking to turn it back on and found the push connectors that had been pulled apart, presumably to disable Pedal
Assistance. I reconnected them but it has made no difference in any of the five levels of assistance. I have attached a photo of the connection which was
pulled apart. It is the black connector on the right side. There is also a throttle which does work.

I was thinking this would most likely be a controller problem but maybe it could be a problem with the Pedal Assistance Sensor? I have attached a photo of what
I'm assuming is the Sensor. Does this look 'normal' to you. Should there also be something on the crank that triggers the Sensor to tell it the bike is moving?

Finally, if I need to replace the controller, is there an obvious replacement because there seem to be an infinite number and none exactly match mine?

Excuse my ignorance but if someone could give me some pointers to work out what's wrong it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Nealh]

I haven't seen a sensor like that before so one assumes a magnet is meant to pass by the red marked sensor , so looks like there is a magnet disc missing . I can't see that it is an all in one , one piece sensor head as the shape is wrong.

With the motor wheel off the ground and PAS 1 selected try passing any magnet by the sensor to see if you get a reaction, magnet needs to be very close like a mm.

 

[Nealh]

To check that the sensor is seeing 5v use a meter and probe the PAS connector , one should see near 5v between gnd/blk & 5v /red.

If you don't see 5v then the PAS output is faulty at the controller or at the connector.
Controller is Lishui brand , they aren't OEM .

 

[DGC]

Thanks for your speedy response, very much appreciated. I did as you said with the magnet and a little red LED lit up on the sensor. I attempted to strobe past it numerous times without success. However, having all but given up, the bike burst into life... once. So, I tried again by turning the pedals with the back wheel off the ground and the motor kicked in each time. Just tried it for real a hundred yards or so up the road and it now appears to be working!

This pleases me considerably and I can only put it down to having, perhaps, made a better connection with the electrical connector for PAS. It does beg the question what is triggering the PAS to identify forward movement. The crank arm is so far from the sensor and it doesn't look like a magnet could ever fit on the arm.

Thanks again.

 

[Nealh]

Having had another look at the sensor , it may be that there are a series of internally mounted magnets that rotate on a smaller circumference centrally so is an all in one sensor . The sensor unit it self has some depth to it so there is more then enough room to locate an internal magnet ring , just don't damage it as finding a direct replacement may be impossible.

Doing as I suggested in passing a magnet by the sensor may have just been coincidental that the PAS kicked in but if the red led wasn't lit before it may have kick started it in to life or more then likely a false connection was the answer.
Anyhow by what ever means it appears you have got the result required so go and enjoy tour new EAPC experiences.

 

[saneagle]

Thanks for your speedy response, very much appreciated. I did as you said with the magnet and a little red LED lit up on the sensor. I attempted to strobe past it numerous times without success. However, having all but given up, the bike burst into life... once. So, I tried again by turning the pedals with the back wheel off the ground and the motor kicked in each time. Just tried it for real a hundred yards or so up the road and it now appears to be working!

This pleases me considerably and I can only put it down to having, perhaps, made a better connection with the electrical connector for PAS. It does beg the question what is triggering the PAS to identify forward movement. The crank arm is so far from the sensor and it doesn't look like a magnet could ever fit on the arm.

Thanks again.

The sensor was probably stuck. It has a centre piece that uses friction to grip on the pedal shaft. If it gets dirty and dries out, the dirt can jam it, and it slips on the shaft. Or, like you said, it might be just a dirty connector.